Things to do in Amsterdam for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Amsterdam
All self-guided activities
Explore the Royal Palace of Amsterdam with an entrance ticket and an audio guide included! The audio guide device is provided in the palace. The palace stands on Dam Square, right in the middle of the city. It embodies the spirit and wealth of the Dutch Golden Age – the period of exceptional blossom of trade, science, and art for the Dutch Republic. Follow in the footsteps of royal guests and explore lavishly furnished rooms of the Palace. Be amazed by the marble grandeur of the Citizen’s Hall. See the splendid throne room, and discover unique works of Dutch artists adorning the chambers. After a visit to this magnificent building, choose to continue your journey along Amsterdam's cobblestoned lanes and canals with a self-guided audio tour in the WeGoTrip app. From the hustle of Dam Square to the tranquility of the Old Church, each step will offer you a story, a fact, or a hidden detail that stitches together the fabric of this lively city. The tour will conclude at the lively New Market Square, a dynamic space, offering typical Dutch treats.
The ticket to the Fabrique des Lumières Dutch Masters exhibition "From Vermeer to Van Gogh" is included in this self-guided walking audio tour through Amsterdam’s changing cityscape. The route starts at Fabrique des Lumières in the Westergas area, where red-brick gasworks buildings now house immersive digital art. Please note that while your ticket to the exhibition of Dutch Masters "From Vermeer to Van Gogh" is included and available within the app, the inside audio tour is not provided. After you finish exploring it on your own, unpause this tour and continue your walk through the streets of Amsterdam. You will walk through Westerpark, pass the stately Haarlemmerpoort, and continue along Haarlemmerstraat to Posthoornkerk. The tour then leads into the Jordaan, with stops at the canal-side corner of Papeneiland and the neighborhood square of Noorderkerk, before reaching the civic center at the Royal Palace and Dam Square. From the busy streets near Central Station, the walk ends at Oude Kerk in Amsterdam’s oldest neighborhood. Along the way, you will see industrial halls turned cultural spaces, a surviving city gate, church facades that reflect changing faith, quiet canals edged by leaning houses, and the broad stone stage of Dam Square.
Explore the Royal Palace of Amsterdam – an iconic symbol of the Netherlands' rich history and cultural heritage! Step into this magnificent architectural wonder to experience the royal splendor and opulence. The Royal Palace of Amsterdam holds a profound significance for the Netherlands. Originally built as a city hall during the Dutch Golden Age in the 17th century, this majestic edifice was later converted into a royal residence, making it an embodiment of the nation's political and regal heritage. It remains an official residence of King William-Alexander to this very day. Admire the stunning architecture adorned with intricate carvings and ornate decorations, truly reflecting the opulence of a bygone era. Explore the various rooms and chambers, housing an extensive collection of art and artifacts from the Golden Age, showcasing the nation's cultural heritage. One of the highlights of your visit will undoubtedly be the chance to stand in the very room where important state ceremonies and receptions take place. Feel the weight of history as you step into the Citizens' Hall, where royal inaugurations and official events still occur to this day. And the Marble Gallery, with its grandiose columns and magnificent artworks, will leave you in awe, offering a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Dutch monarchy.
Get to know the lives of people around the world at Wereldmuseum Leiden, an eye-opening museum of ethnology. Lovingly arranged by cultural region, thousands of objects tell the stories of human experience around the world. Now _that's_ a day well spent!
The Wereldmuseum Amsterdam is housed in an impressive national monument that has colonial roots. As such, colonialism and its repercussions are an important theme. Topics such as world trade, consumption, migration, climate change, and urbanization are also relevant to Amsterdam. The exhibitions in the museum always make a connection between the historical context and current global themes. Since 2023, Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, along with Wereldmuseum Rotterdam and Wereldmuseum Leiden, has been part of the National Museum of World Cultures. This merger brings together nearly 450,000 objects, 260,000 photographic images, and approximately 350,000 documentary items, strengthening the museum's mission to inspire an open view of the world and contribute to global citizenship.
Foam is the museum for photography lovers, whether you are looking to discover contemporary, emerging talents or admire the work of iconic photographers from the previous century. The diversity of exhibitions on display invites visitors to explore the world of photography, ranging from historical vintage prints to contemporary fashion photography. Foam is located in a manor house along the beautiful canals, where the first museum for modern art of Amsterdam was opened in 1863. Hidden behind its historic façade you find a contemporary museum.
“Have I really been here for three hours?” - this might be the only question left unanswered after your visit to this attraction in the heart of Amsterdam. There’s so much to see and do that you’ll wish you had four eyes, like a certain Chinese gentleman you'll meet. Step into this delightful time sink - and good luck with that @#$%&! mystery gate!
Dive into the world of colors with this in-app audio tour of the Van Gogh Museum! Home to the world’s most extensive collection of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam transports visitors on a fascinating journey through the artist's life. Learn the complete story of Vincent Van Gogh: the context of his paintings, his dreams and ambitions, his emotions, and the myths surrounding him. Listen to fascinating stories and discover the context behind world-famous masterpieces. Get up close with over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and more than 750 letters from Van Gogh. Access a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions and see why artists still look up to Van Gogh nowadays. Get to know the person behind the museum's masterpieces and be inspired by the way he looked at the world around himself. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Van Gogh Museum but is provided by an independent creator. Ticket is provided for customer's convenience at no charge.
Hunt for bargains in late-19th-century Holland, with a visit to one of the most unique cultural attractions in the Netherlands. Located at the world's first-ever and last-remaining sail-through auction house, Museum BroekerVeiling gives you a history lesson by putting you directly in it. Join a real auction and bid on fresh local vegetables in the refurbished period-style auction house, take a boat ride through the stunning Realm of a Thousand Islands, explore the petting zoo, and more.
Experience the grandeur of "Van Gogh & Rembrandt in Amsterdam", the first-ever large-scale son-et-lumière (sound and light) show housed within a national monument. Despite living 180 years apart, you'll discover that the works of the Baroque master and the Post-impressionist painter are more similar than you might imagine. Explore the connection between the two artists at the exhibition. You'll find out how Van Gogh was captivated by Rembrandt's work and drew inspiration from it. The story will be brought to life by English-language readings of Van Gogh's letters to his brother as you take in work from both painters. Dutch newspaper, Het Parool says of the show: "Spectacular. The entire church is immersed in sunflowers or blossom bushes. Everything moves, flows, whirls, and whizzes over walls and vaults."
Cities in Netherlands
About Amsterdam
The best indoor tours in Amsterdam for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Amsterdam for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Amsterdam
Rolf Laimbock is a local guide who has been publishing tours since 2020 for your discovery of hidden gems and local specialities of Amsterdam on their personal guide page (view profile). Explore their expert tips planning trip to Amsterdam.
When I visit Amsterdam for shopping, I usually skip the obvious chains and head for De 9 Straatjes first. Between the canals, I browse independent fashion, vintage, and design stores tucked into old merchant houses. For sharper local style, I recommend the Haarlemmerstraat and Haarlemmerdijk area in Amsterdam; locals know it for small concept shops, excellent delis, and bookstores. If you visit Amsterdam and like contemporary labels with a more polished feel, Oud-Zuid around Beethovenstraat is a smart choice. In my travel guide Amsterdam, these are the areas I mention most because they combine browsing with some of the best things to do in Amsterdam: walking, people-watching, and café stops.
When I’m in Amsterdam on my own, I always start with a slow walk through the Jordaan early in the morning, before the cafés fill and the canals turn busy. For solo visitors, it’s one of the most rewarding things to do in Amsterdam because you can move at your own pace, browse small galleries, and sit unnoticed with coffee on the Noordermarkt. I often continue to the Begijnhof or the canal belt, which belong high on any list of what to see in Amsterdam. Unlike many tours in Amsterdam, this feels personal. These quieter corners are also among the most memorable attractions in Amsterdam for people traveling alone.
In my travel guide Amsterdam, I usually recommend three full days in Amsterdam as the sweet spot. That gives you time to settle into the rhythm of the city: an unhurried canal walk at dusk, a museum morning, and a neighborhood like De Pijp or the Jordaan where Amsterdam feels lived-in rather than staged. When I visit Amsterdam myself, I find two days can work if you stay central and choose carefully, but four lets you add ferries to Noord or a slow afternoon in the Plantage. For me, the best things to do in Amsterdam reveal themselves when you leave space between plans.
When I want a break from the center of Amsterdam, I head just beyond it to places that still feel connected to the city’s history. The ferry to NDSM is one of my favorite short escapes; in Amsterdam, it gives you a rawer, creative side with street art and old shipyard buildings. I also recommend taking the train to Haarlem for an afternoon, especially for quiet hofjes and excellent small museums. If you’re comparing attractions in Amsterdam with what to see in Amsterdam nearby, these are the places I mention first. Unlike many tours in Amsterdam, they let you feel how the city opens outward into very different neighborhoods and towns.
If you plan to visit Amsterdam around a major event, I’d time it for King’s Day in April or the Grachtenfestival in summer. King’s Day shows Amsterdam at its most exuberant, but I prefer the smaller pockets: families selling old treasures on the streets of the Jordaan and canal-side music drifting through quieter blocks. In my travel guide Amsterdam, I also highlight Open Monumentendag in September, when historic buildings in Amsterdam open doors usually closed to the public. For me, these are among the most memorable things to do in Amsterdam because they reveal the city’s character, not just its postcard image.
When families ask me where to go in Amsterdam, I often suggest the maritime area around Het Scheepvaartmuseum. For me, it’s one of the smartest things to do in Amsterdam with children because the old harbor setting already feels like an adventure, and the full-scale VOC ship draws them in immediately. From there, I like walking toward the Oosterdok, where Amsterdam opens up with wide views and room to move, which parents appreciate. Among the classic attractions in Amsterdam, this area feels less cramped than the canal core. It also works well if you’re deciding what to see in Amsterdam without relying on standard tours in Amsterdam.
In my travel guide Amsterdam, I always say the city makes most sense on foot, with trams for longer stretches. When I visit Amsterdam, I walk the canal belt and Jordaan because distances are shorter than they look, and you notice the details that make Amsterdam special: crooked gables, hidden courtyards, flower boxes leaning over bridges. For neighborhoods like Amsterdam Noord or the eastern docks, I use the free ferry or tram rather than a bike; locals know cycling here can feel hectic if you do not know the rhythm. For me, combining walking with public transport is one of the most practical things to do in Amsterdam.